Highly respected family travel expert, Candyce H. Stapen has authored 30 travel guide books—including two for National Geographic– developed FamilyiTrips apps, written 2,800+ travel articles for a variety of outlets, appeared on the TODAY Show and other broadcasts to talk about travel.
Please follow her @familyitrips

Featured Articles, Videos, Blog Posts

Lots to see and hear on Norwegian’s megaship, but good luck booking a restaurant

The goal aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Escape: Not to end up at a buffet dinner or watching the comedy juggler twirl knives, hats and balls. Not that we had anything against buffets or jugglers, they were just not as interesting as the 20-plus places to dine or the Broadway-style musicals.

Exploring the Best Artifacts from the National African American Museum

By Candyce H. StapenPhoto by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Middle Passage ankle shacklesPhoto by Collection of Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Slave cabinPhoto by Collection of Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Certificate of Freedom for Joseph Trammell (detail)Photo by Collection of Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Tuskegee airplanePhoto by Collection of Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Hat from Mae’s MillineryPhoto by Collection of Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Church pew from the Twelfth Baptist Church of BostonPhoto by Collection of Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Lunch counter stools from Greensboro, NCPhoto by Collection of Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

March on Washington, D.C. for Jobs and FreedomPhoto by Copyright Jim Wallace

Chuck Berry’s CadillacPhoto by Collection of Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Louis Armstrong’s Selmer trumpetPhoto by Collection of Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Gabby Douglas displayPhoto by Collection of Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Muhammad Ali headgearPhoto by Collection of Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Detroit Lions jacket worn by Eddie Murphy in "Beverly Hills Cop II"Photo by Collection of Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Pete Souza photographPhoto by Copyright Pete Souza

Long-planned and anticipated, the new, $540 million Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) explores the rich saga of African American history and life in the United States.

Vacationing with a preschooler can be a delight you remember forever. Their infectious giggles remind you of the joys of simple things–muddy sandcastles, big dinosaur bones, fireflies that glow at night.

How to Share a Vacation House with Another Family

Even though sharing a vacation house with another family saves money, provides pals for your kids, and can add fun, the experience comes with a potential pitfall: destroying the friendship. Know the answers to these considerations first. Nothing tests camaraderie among families like living together in one rental, especially with someone else’s kids.

How Zika virus is affecting Caribbean travel

Fears of the Zika virus have a double impact in the Caribbean, where vulnerability to the mosquito-borne disease, linked to microcephaly and other fetal brain damage, challenges an economy dependent largely on tourism. Since January, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention first warned pregnant women to avoid travel to certain Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Which Are the Most Pet-Friendly U.S. Hotel Chains (And Which Ones Just Claim They Are)?

Lots of hotels say they’ll let you stay with your dog—but at many, the price is steep and support is weak. But some American hotel companies truly do go the extra mile to welcome you and your animals. Pets are family, so it’s no wonder that people take dogs and cats along on trips.

Curious and active, teens like new experiences. No matter what adventures you choose to take with your teens, be sure to include them in the decision-making and schedule plenty of down time for relaxing and bonding.

The thing to do on a movie set is to get into character. That’s how I found myself conjuring my inner starlet as I strolled Miami Beach’s new Faena Hotel early this year. I walked the red carpet in the lobby and stepped behind the gold-leafed columns to admire the murals, where lions sit next to flamingos and white winged horses fly over red coral beds.

Ready to explore Cuba? Here’s how to get there

With restrictions on traveling to Cuba gradually easing, U.S. cruise lines and airlines are gearing up to meet the anticipated demand for transportation to the island. On March 21, Carnival received approval from Cuba to begin voyages from Miami on May 1. This will be the first time a ship has sailed to Cuba from U.S. shores in 50 years.

Vacationing with kids: Travel hacks for babies, teens and everybody in between

Traveling with kids presents challenges that grow and change along with your children. No sooner do they outgrow those cumbersome car seats and strollers than you are weighed down by the dilemma of what to do after they bed down at 7 p.m. — and then they become teenagers, and you have to manage what they’re up to.

Country Getaway: Dog-friendly Mountain Lake Lodge, Pembroke, VA

Our goal for our long weekend at Mountain Lake Lodge, perched at nearly 4,000 feet in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, is to show Maggie and Cleo, city slickers who live in Washington, DC, the joys of the countryside.

Arizona in the Spring (Part 1): Tucson

Spring, when the Sonoran desert blooms, is a great time to visit Tucson and Phoenix. In the morning play golf on world-class courses or explore the desert. In the afternoon when temperatures rise, go indoors to visit museums, browse art galleries, and get pampered at the region’s noted spas.

Arizona in the Spring (Part 2): Phoenix and Scottsdale

Phoenix and Scottsdale lure you with much more than golf, even though the areas’ green fairways offer up some of the best putting and driving anywhere. In both cities and just beyond, the legends and colors of the Sonoran desert with its Indian lore and pastel painted bluffs, buttes, and bold red mountains beckon.

Cruising Royal Caribbean’s mega-ship: At times, a little too mega

Waiting in line for our first time on the cruise ship’s bumper-car ride, I paused to look at a photo in my phone. The man behind me poked me in the ribs, saying, “You got to keep the queue moving.” Cruisers sometimes get testy on a big ship, and Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas — full capacity: 4,905 passengers — is among the biggest.

Travel for Good: Voluntourism Adventures

Tag rhinos in South Africa, teach soccer in Romania and follow dolphins in Belize, whales in Mexico, giraffe in Kenya and seahorses in Cambodia. These are just some of the many volunteer projects that enable you to combine adventures with doing good. “Voluntourism” is trending.

Munich and Bavaria: Expect the Unexpected

Bavaria is what you expect but also what you don’t, a combination that makes the region anchored by Munich especially interesting. Centuries-old castles, medieval villages with half-timbered houses, and rolling fields edged by snow-capped Alps remain staples, creating the spectacular scenery we expect.

Planning a trip to Miami Beach? Go north for a different vibe.

A Miami Beach vacation doesn’t have to be all about music blasting from outdoor bars. If, like us, you’re in search of an alternative to South Beach’s noise, $30 valet parking, packed sands and traffic, do what we do: Stay in North Beach.

Tips for Traveling with your Dog

From atop the cliffside Castillo (castle), Tulum’s most important building, the crashing waves and the calls of the sea birds conjure visions of this once-vital Maya seaport. Tulum is one of the treasures of the Riviera Maya, a swath of about 85 miles along Mexico’s Caribbean coast.

The robes are just the beginning. Savvy hotel guests know to take home their favorite lodging’s feathery down pillows, the silky 600-thread-count sheets, the tea-scented candles and especially the plush pillow-top or thick foam mattress that created a cocoon for sleeping.

At the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, a bellman shadows a svelte guest after she steals his all-access key card, while another luggage unloader trails a suspicious duffle. When the duo discover a heist at an on-property art show, they take out the bad guys with a fun mash-up of dance moves plus martial arts kicks and blocks.

Some craft and art shows are worth traveling to, especially the American Craft Council (ACC) shows, hosted in Baltimore, Atlanta, St. Paul and San Francisco, as well as Sculptural Objects and Fine Arts (SOFA) yearly show in Chicago. At these events, you can find high-quality handmade objects. Even if you can’t buy, go ahead and browse.

For many cruise passengers, one of the best parts of their voyage isn’t the elaborate buffets, the casino bets or the booze. It’s the belly laughs. These days, several major lines are showcasing more humor by way of their comedy clubs. Forget about the stuff-food-in-your-face jokes; the performers and the material are better than ever.

“Back in the day, being labeled a ‘cruise ship comedian’ certainly carried a negative connotation, as it was believed that performing on a cruise ship meant it was either the beginning or the end of your career,” says Mark Tamis, Carnival Cruise Line’s senior vice president of guest operations. “That is certainly not the case these days.

Two million kids younger than 15 sailed the high seas in 2013 on lines that are members of the Cruise Lines International Association Industry. To attract and keep that many children happily engaged, cruise lines offer meet and greets with beloved cartoon characters and more.

Book: An Explorer’s Guide to Virginia

FamilyiTrips

Stapen has taken her love and experience of travel writing and combined it with her entrepreneurial spirit to launch FamilyiTrips, a series of user-friendly and informative family travel apps. Stapen wrote DC With Kids, and noted journalist Deb Geigis Berry wrote Boston With Kids and NYC Family Guide.

DC With Kids ReviewsBoston with Kids ReviewsNYC Family Guide Reviews

DC With Kids, a seven+ weeks iTunes Hot List Pick. Written and created by Candyce Stapen. Click here to find out some fun facts.

New York Times Review
The apps, which landed on iTunes’s hot list last month, allow users to nimbly explore listings, including shops, hotels and restaurants. But they also offer filters through which to explore the cities: by budget, by activities that are “like a local,” and by attractions according to age group.Read the review

Huffington Post, 12/24/2012
DC With Kids: This app from www.FamilyiTrips.com is a gem for locals and visitors to D.C. alike. A mere $3.99 gets you access to over 250 ideas for activities for children in the D.C. area and free updates whenever new activities are added. You can search for things to do by age (young children, grade schoolers, and teens) or by using a number of other categories including the “Top 11,” seasonal events, seasonal happenings, and free activities. The app offers practical advice, such as where to find family-friendly places to eat near attractions. This is a good choice to help find attractions on the go. If your holiday travel includes Boston or New York City, you can find similar apps for those cities here.

Boston with Kids, a two times iTunes Hot List Pick. Written by Deb Geigis Berry, a noted family travel expert.

Boston Globe praises FamilyiTrips

“Each colorful, nicely illustrated app has more than 250 entries that include top picks, outdoor activities, and freebies, along with places to eat, sleep, and shop. Or find an activity for a specific age group: young kids, grade-schoolers, or teens. Discover everything from science workshops to puppet shows, moonlight tours, museum sleep- overs, or animal adventures.”
4/1/2012

“This is my new favorite app. As a family that travels a lot, we’re constantly getting pamphlets, guides, and whatever we can to help us, but nothing has been as helpful, thorough, or fun as Boston with Kids. My kids love it for the fun, whimsical illustrations, and my wife and I are still learning just how in depth it is and how much there is to do. We highly recommend.”Read the Boston with Kids reviews and more. Rated

NYC Family Guide, Written by Deb Geigis Berry

Lots of great info for kids of any age. I really love that this app gives lots of great suggestions for tots through teens. No one is left out. I particularly appreciate that there are so many food choices. We sometimes feel overwhelmed when visiting NYC because of the number of places to eat. Finding the best ones for us is a lot easier now.
by Aunt Di bethesda – version 1.0 – Sep 19,2012

Best NYC Guide for Families! If you are going to be in New York City, then this app is just as important as a subway card. It is a great guide for families with kids of all ages. It includes comprehensive information about the major attractions as well as lots of really great things to see and do beyond the typical tourist stuff in town.